forbes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal, Business/Media
Quick answer
What does “forbes” mean?
A surname, most commonly associated with the American business magazine and media company Forbes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surname, most commonly associated with the American business magazine and media company Forbes.
Used as a metonym to refer to the Forbes magazine itself, its associated lists (e.g., the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans), its brand, or its editorial viewpoint.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical, but cultural resonance is stronger in American contexts due to the magazine's origin.
Connotations
Connotes wealth, business success, ranking, and capitalist achievement.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English media, but widely recognized internationally in business contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “forbes” in a Sentence
[BE] listed in Forbes[BE] featured on Forbes[APPEAR] in ForbesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forbes” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A Forbes-listed entrepreneur
- The Forbes ranking system
American English
- A Forbes-certified wealth advisor
- The Forbes methodology
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Central. Used to denote prestige, ranking, and business news authority.
Academic
Used in economics, media studies, or sociology when discussing wealth concentration or media influence.
Everyday
Recognized but not commonly used unless discussing wealth or business news.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forbes”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “forbes”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forbes”
- Using 'Forbes' as a verb (e.g., 'He was forbesed') or a common noun (e.g., 'I read a forbes'). Capitalization is always required.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'Forbes' is a proper noun (a surname and a brand name). It should always be capitalised.
Not typically. It's more natural to say 'an issue of Forbes', 'a copy of Forbes', or 'a Forbes magazine'.
It is an annual list published by Forbes magazine ranking the 400 richest Americans.
Yes, Forbes publishes different editions (e.g., Forbes Asia, Forbes Europe) with region-specific content, but all operate under the same core brand.
A surname, most commonly associated with the American business magazine and media company Forbes.
Forbes is usually formal, business/media in register.
Forbes: in British English it is pronounced /fɔːbz/, and in American English it is pronounced /fɔːrbz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Make the Forbes list”
- “A Forbes-listed billionaire”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FORBES: Fortune OR Business EStimation – a magazine ranking fortune and business.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH IS A LIST (e.g., 'He's on the Forbes list').
Practice
Quiz
What does 'Forbes' primarily refer to in a modern context?